A new research centre that will help reduce deaths and serious injuries in NSW workplaces has opened this week.
Based in Gosford on the NSW central coast, the $2.5 million Centre for Work Health and Safety will use the latest data, research and insights to help protect workers across the state.
According to figures in 2015/16 there were almost 31,000 major workplace injuries and illnesses reported to SafeWork NSW, and tragically 60 workplace-related deaths.
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Matt Kean said some of the Centre’s initial projects would include investigating ways to reduce crane incidents in NSW, a comprehensive work health survey, and creating predictive modelling for future work health and safety challenges.
“This centre is just one of the ways NSW is leading the nation in smarter, more innovative harm prevention initiatives,” Kean said.
“Every worker across this state deserves a safe and healthy workplace, and that’s exactly what this centre is about.”
“It will inform policy, identify emerging trends and set priorities for the future through four key streams: insights and analytics, research, science outreach, and business support,” said Kean.
“With work-related injury and disease costing the Australian community $61.8 billion in a single year, this initiative can also provide a significant return on investment to NSW taxpayers in reducing workers compensation claims and improving productivity.”
The centre will be supported by a research foundation, which will guide investment in leading-edge academic research,” said Kean.
“We are doing everything we can to ensure NSW workers are as safe as possible at work, and will continue to push the boundaries to improve workplace injury prevention.”